People often resort to energy drinks to increase their body's energy, but recent research has found that these drinks can cause fatal diseases. These drinks often contain very high amounts of sugar and caffeine. Doctors say that this can cause serious problems like sudden heart attack, which requires immediate treatment.
A cup of coffee contains 100 mg of caffeine, while energy drinks contain 80 mg to 300 mg of caffeine. They also contain ingredients such as taurine and guarana, which are believed to affect heart rate, blood pressure and other heart functions.
Data were collected from 144 patients.
Researchers at the American Mayo Clinic studied the data of 144 patients who survived a heart attack. Of these, 7 people (aged 20 to 42 years) had consumed energy drinks shortly before the incident. Of these, 6 people were given electric shock for treatment and one needed CPR.
Expert statement
Peter Schwartz of the Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Genetics in Milan, Italy, wrote in his report that some people may say that this is just a coincidence. Both we and the Mayo Clinic know that it has not yet been clearly proven that energy drinks cause serious heart disease, but further investigation is necessary on this.
How do the caffeine and sugar in energy drinks affect the body?
Dr. Belinda Griffiths of the Fleet Street Clinic in London says that caffeine increases the heart rate, sharpens the brain and drives away sleep. A small amount of caffeine can also be beneficial for adults. Studies show that 2 or more cups of coffee a day (depending on the amount of caffeine) can be beneficial for heart disease. But, the amount of refined sugar found in energy drinks is not healthy at all. Griffiths says that we should avoid it. We get a lot of sugar from food and drinks. This increases blood sugar, provides energy for a short time and then there is a sudden drop, which can spoil the mood and make you feel more hungry.